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Preliminary hearing waived in Costello's death

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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A defense attorney for a man charged with fatally stabbing his father, who was Oklahoma's labor commissioner, says the death reflects a breakdown in the state's mental health system.

Christian Costello has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the August death of his father, Mark Costello.

Prosecutors allege Costello attacked his father at an Oklahoma City restaurant. His family says he suffers from mental illness.

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A Friday hearing was scheduled to allow prosecutors to show there was sufficient evidence to go to trial. But defense attorney Bob Ravitz said Friday that Costello waived the hearing because it's clear prosecutors have sufficient evidence.

Ravitz says Costello is now appropriately medicated, and that "this tragedy shows a breakdown in our mental health system."

The next hearing is scheduled for May 25.